Lubicons get support

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Bands call for settlement

Alberta Indian bands joined together in a mass demonstration of support for the Lubicon Lake Indian band's 47-year-old land claim.

About 100 demonstrators marched from Edmonton's Churchill Square to the steps of the Legislative Building on the first day of the fall session, Nov. 23, to demand the government settle with the small Cree band.

A large placard saying "up with Lubicon Lake" was carried by three men as the procession wound its way through Edmonton's icy streets. The procession was led by three drummers who chanted traditional Indian songs.

In a speech to the crowd gathered on the frosty steps of the legislature Indian Association Treaty 7 vice-president Narcisse Blood called the Alberta government's treatment of Indian people "racist", adding that Lac La Biche MLA Leo Piquette's "being forced to apologize for speaking in French is hypocrisy."

In an interview after the rally Blood said the five tribes of Treaty 7 do support the Lubicon's land claim but had not officially joined the band's boycott of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games.

"As you know the Peigan's have now supported the boycott and I expect the other bands will follow. They are all waiting to see what the Games had to offer first," he said, adding that he personally supported the boycott and would be participating in protests in Calgary.

Taking part in the march and the demonstration was Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak who said he was pleased with the large turnout. However, he did not participate in the speech making, explaining "it's just not my style."

Ominayak says his band plans to protest the land claim at the Calgary Olympics, scheduled to begin Feb. 13, but added details have yet to be finalized.